VIETNAM: DEATH PENALTY FOR SIX DRUG TRAFFICKERS

December 31, 2016: Six defendants involved in Viet Nam’s biggest drug trafficking case were sentenced to death by the People’s Court of the northern Quang Ninh Province.
Hoang Van Tien, leader of the ring, was charged with illegally trading heroin and possessing military weapons.
Five other defendants were charged with illegally trading and transporting heroin.
A verdict of life imprisonment was imposed on six other defendants.
The remaining defendants were sentenced to terms of two to 22 years in prison and subjected to fines of VNĐ10-22 million.    
In the first phase of the trial in January 2014, the court sentenced 30 of the 89 defendants to death and 13 others to life imprisonment.
During the 2003-13 period, Hoang Van Tien and his partners in crime traded more than 5,300 heroin cakes weighing some 870kg in total, some 35,000 synthetic drug tablets and 1,100 grams of crystal meth.
The case is considered the biggest drug trafficking case in Viet Nam’s history.  (Sources: VNS, 01/01/2017)